Bee venom may offer potent anti-inflammatory properties that could benefit skin health, immunity, motor function, and arthritis symptoms. However, it may also lead to adverse effects, so caution is advised.

Bee venom is a colorless, acidic liquid that bees excrete through their stingers into a target when they feel threatened. Research suggests it may have a wide range of health benefits, from reducing inflammation to treating chronic illnesses. However, research in some of these areas is still inconclusive or may require larger samples and longer testing times.

Bee venom consists of substances that may have both positive and adverse health effects.

According to research, bee venom contains both anti-inflammatory and inflammatory compounds. Melittin — a compound consisting of 26 amino acids — comprises about 50% of the venom’s dry weight, and it has been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer effects in mice and in vitro studies.

Melittin is also responsible for the pain associated with bee stings.

In addition, bee venom contains the peptides apamin and adolapin. Although they act as toxins, these peptides offer anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Bee venom also contains phospholipase A2, an enzyme and major allergen that causes inflammation and cell damage. However, according to an older 2016 study, phospholipase A2 in bee venom may also have anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective effects in some cases.

While some of this research points to the beneficial properties of certain compounds in bee venom, the isolated effects of each component in the venom are unknown, as many of them have not been studied.

Apitherapy is an alternative medicine practice that uses bee products — including their venom — to treat and prevent illnesses, pain, and inflammation.

Although bee venom has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, it has been used in both human and animal medicine for thousands of years.

Bee venom is used in a number of ways and is available in many forms. For example, it’s added to products like extracts, supplements, moisturizers, and serums. You can purchase bee-venom products online or in specialty stores.

Bee-venom injections may be beneficial for inflammation, pain, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. However, researchers typically note that more controlled trials are needed to confirm the therapeutic effectiveness of bee venom for these health challenges.

Bee venom is also used in live bee acupuncture or bee-sting therapy — a treatment method thought to relieve pain in which live bees are placed on your skin and a sting is induced, according to a 2023 review of studies.

While not all of the purported benefits of bee venom are backed by science, research has suggested that it may have medicinal properties in some cases.

Anti-inflammatory properties

One of the most well-documented benefits of bee venom is its potent anti-inflammatory effects. Many of its components, particularly melittin, have been shown to reduce inflammation.

Although melittin can cause itching, pain, and inflammation when delivered in high doses, it also has anti-inflammatory effects when used in small amounts.

Melittin may suppress inflammatory pathways and reduce inflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). This could potentially benefit inflammatory conditions, including some cancers. However, there is not enough research to confirm this potential benefit.

A 2022 paper on pharmacological effects and mechanisms of bee venom concluded that the venom may offer multiple therapeutic actions, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, pain-relieving, and antimicrobial effects.

More research on humans is needed to establish the concrete anti-inflammatory and multi-target health benefits of bee venom.

Reduction of arthritis-related symptoms

The anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom may benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a painful inflammatory condition that affects the joints.

A 2018 study of 120 people with RA found that bee-venom acupuncture, which employed 5 to 15 bee stings every other day, provided symptom relief similar to traditional RA medications like Methotrexate and Celecoxib.

While researchers believe bee venom may have promising therapeutic effects for RA, more high quality studies are needed to confirm these effects.

Neuroprotective and motor function effects

A 2022 systematic review explored the effects of bee venom on Parkinson’s disease. Researchers noted that bee venom use improved motor function and reduced oxidative stress markers for people with the condition. Bee venom also had anti-inflammatory effects, and when combined with Parkinson’s disease medications, it enhanced their therapeutic effects.

Although this field of research is recent and requires further exploration, these preliminary results suggest that bee venom could be a complementary therapy for managing Parkinson’s disease.

Skin health and cosmetic applications

Multiple skin care companies have added bee venom to products like serums and moisturizers under the premise that they may:

  • reduce inflammation
  • have antibacterial effects
  • improve wrinkles

Research from 2021 on cosmetic applications of bee venom found that its bioactive components may provide anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and regenerative benefits on the skin.

Researchers noted that low dose topical treatments with bee venom improve acne, eczema, alopecia, and vitiligo. Bee venom also accelerated wound healing and decreased facial wrinkles.

Immune health

Research from 2022 on the biological effects of animal venom found that bee venom specifically had multiple immunomodulatory effects on the human immune system. Bee venom suppressed inflammatory responses by lowering levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoimmune markers. Repeated low doses of bee venom strengthened immune tolerance.

Researchers concluded that even though some components in bee venom, like melittin, activated the immune response (allergy or inflammation) and could even harm immune cells, it also shifted the immune system from an inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory focus.

While bee venom has been shown to offer several potential benefits, it’s important to note that it doesn’t come without risks. Professional supervision for any therapeutic use of bee venom is essential.

Some of the potential adverse effects and risks of injected and topical bee venom therapy may include:

  • Anaphylaxis and sensitization: Bee venom may trigger life threatening allergic reactions, even in people who have tolerated it before.
  • Local adverse reactions: Bee venom injections, including acupuncture applications, may lead to local effects like itching, swelling, pain, and skin irritation. Bee venom creams or cosmetics can also cause irritation, edema (accumulation of fluids), itching, rashes, and in some cases, systemic allergic reactions.
  • Severe toxic or neurological reactions: High doses of bee venom may lead to toxicity. Research suggests repeated or high-dose bee venom applications may lead to severe and persistent muscle burning pain, tissue necrosis (damage or death), and premature destruction of red blood cells.

A 2022 review found that 58 out of 145 trials with bee venom reported adverse health reactions. The lack of an antidote or the application of bee venom by practitioners other than medical professionals warrants caution when using bee venom as a therapy.

Bee venom may have therapeutic and cosmetic applications due to its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, among other benefits.

Both injected and topical bee venom application carry documented risks and adverse effects. The most serious risk associated with bee venom is anaphylaxis (systemic allergy). Frequent and high dose applications carry the highest risks.

Bee venom applications, particularly injected venom, should always be supervised by a professional.

Although the results of multiple studies are promising and may indicate that bee venom could be an effective therapy for multiple health concerns, more research is needed to understand the exact therapeutic mechanisms and uses of bee venom and how risks and allergic reactions can be minimized.